Prices range from £50 to £175 for adults with all child tickets priced £15, any oversubscribed games going to a ballot following the end of the two-week ticket window.

Kolo’ofai is hoping to be part of a Tongan squad whose last World Cup campaign saw them beating France but losing to Canada, the 31-year-old having recently joined the Falcons from French side Colomiers.

“Hopefully I can be in the mix for Tonga, but we will have to see nearer the time whether or not that is the case,” he said.

“Either way, for Tonga it is going to be a great experience playing in Newcastle, and I am sure they will have a great time here.”

Known as the Ikale Tahi (Sea Eagles), Tonga have already played once in the city when they were beaten 24-13 by the Falcons in November 2012, former Tynedale and Falcons winger Epi Taione currently chairman of their national rugby union.

Famed for their abrasive and explosive approach to the game, Kolo’ofai said: “People can expect entertaining rugby from the Tongans, and that is what we bring to the game.

“We are not afraid to throw the ball around, we like our big hits and people seem to enjoy the way we approach our rugby.”

Faced with the toughest assignment in the world as their St James’ Park clash pits them against the All Blacks, he added: “It would be an amazing experience to face up against the world champions in Newcastle, with playing my club rugby here as well.

“New Zealand are best side around, and it would be memorable to be involved with something like that.”

Kane Thompson and Uili Kolo'ofai (Image: Mark Pinder/On Edition)

Former Falcon Suka Hufanga scored thje winning try when Tonga defeated France in the last World Cup, the winger’s try providing one of the shocks of the tournament.

“Our last World Cup was a positive one, on the whole,” said Kolo’ofai.

“As has often been the case, the thing that lets us down was our inconsistency.

“We have not yet got the hang of turning up and producing our best every time we play, and that really is going to be the key between staying we are or going up a level during the World Cup.

“You have to get yourself up for every game rather than picking and choosing, but World Cups are always massive occasions and hopefully we can rise to the challenge.”

Enjoying life on Tyneside as he continues to shake off a calf problem, the well-travelled summer signing said: “The North East is really growing on me the more time I spend here.

“My wife and wee one are over here now, which is great, and we are settling well. We are seeing much more of the city and the area around it, and the club seems really positive.

“The people at the Falcons have been really welcoming, and I am adapting to the training.

“It is certainly a lot harder than how we trained in France, but that is just the English style and you go with what the coaches tell you.”

Beaten 36-17 at Leicester in last weekend’s Premiership opener and welcoming London Irish to their new plastic pitch on Sunday, Kolo’ofai added: “The guys are positive, generally.

“We have a few things to work on from the Leicester game, but everyone is looking forward to using the new pitch against London Irish and really kicking on.

“We are going to throw the ball around and have a real go, which should be entertaining for the guys coming down to watch.”